Motion converter



Dec. 8, 1959 c. B. HEBELER ET AL MOTION CONVERTER Dec. 8, 1959 c. B. HEBELER ETAL 2,915,911

MOTION CONVERTER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 f Filed DBG. 21, 1956 INVENTORS CHARLES B. HEBELER FRANKLIN W. KERFOOTJR. EIDE AMMER Dec. 8, 1959 c, B. HEBELER ETAL MOTION CONVERTER Filed Dec. 21. 195e 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 J M @um w .T K SR M REOM L OLmA C TE .H l\\|\l| NBWN E EE E VHK.D m mawm w smw C El-H. m LK T RN W AAR 0 HRA c 1 CF V.. `\\\\|L n E 1 w K c w C INH nl E El m c m E W r T N U 0 c .T m. c o L C O w o u o o o o o m. m s m w Nvnm AGENT E lciently with a minimum MOTION CONVERTER Application December 21, 1956, Serial No. 629,840 f19 Claims. (Cl. 74-393) Detroit,

This invention relates to motion transmission apparatus and in particular to mechanisms for converting constant angular motion to varying angular motion.

The invention embodies a novel motion mechanism, distinguished by its improved operation, over other known motion converting devices which, for example, might use gear trains and cam means as part of the transmission mechanism. It is generally known that the use of gears is attended by backlash, inaccuracies due to wear of the gear teeth, and the need for lubrication. In those known mechanisms where plate cams are used, it is cornmon practice to employ spring members for confining the associated cam followers to the contours of the cams, and such arrangements usually complicate problems of design by the introduction of additional forces. It is recognized that the use of springs is not always resorted to, particularly in those mechanisms utilizing grooved face cams, but the use of face cams is generally avoided where practical because of their higher costs as compared to the cost of the plate type cam.

It is an object of Ithe present invention to provide a novel motion converting devlce of improved design.

Conshohocken,

It is also an object of the invention to provide such a device wherein the transmitting mechanism is character- .ized by the absence of gear means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a motion converting device eliminating the need for springs or other biasing devices.

A specific object of the present invention is to provide such a device wherein the transition is from constant rotative angular motion to intermittent angular motion.

A further object is to provide motion converting apparatus wherein the transition from one mode of angular motion to another is accomplished smoothly and efliof pulsations and vibrations.

l Briefly described and in accordance with the illustrated embodiment more fully described hereinafter, the invention comprises a plurality of novel cam members disposed in co-axial alignment with a constantly rotating input shaft and an intermittently rotatable output shaft. The input shaft carries a pivotally mounted cam follower and drives it in revolving motion about the cams. Undulations on thecam surfaces cause the follower to oscillate von' its pivot, and this oscillatory motion is transmitted to the, output shaft by means of nects the output shaft to the a flexible tape which' confollower. In this manner, the oscillating cam follower effects alternate periods of dwell and of rotation of the output shaft.

The invention will be best understood from the following detailed description of a specific embodiment thereof when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an end view of a specific embodimentof the i invention taken on line 1-1' of Fig. 2;

entry of foreign matter.

- Patented Dec.l 8, 1959 iCC Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are schematic illustrations of portions of the operating mechanism removed from the housing, and illustrate different relative and angular positions of its moving parts when the device is in operation;

Fig. 6 is a motion curve diagram illustrating the relative motions of certain parts of the mechanism.

Referring to the drawings illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, it is seen that the operating mechanism is supported in a cylindrical housing indicated generally by the numeral 10, which comprises a body 12 and an end cover plate 14 attached thereto by means of flat headed screws 16. The body 12, preferably as shown, is provided with an arcuate aperture 18 on its periphery for inspection purposes, and the aperture may be suitably closed in any convenient manner, as by an arcuate cover plate (not shown), to shield the internal mechanism against the As a component of a major machine assembly in which it is to be used, the converter assembly may be secured to a machine member 20 by bolts 22 engaging the end cover plate 14, or in any other suitable manner.

The power input to the device is an input shaft 24 which is journalled in end cover plate 14, preferably in anti-friction bearings 26 and 27, for rotation by a suitable source of power, such as an electric motor. The driven or output shaft 28 is similarly iournalled in body 12 in axial alignment with input shaft 24, for intermittent, angular rotation, as described hereinafter. A

Transmission of motion from input shaft 24 is effected througha crank 30 which may be pinned or otherwise secured thereto, as seen in Fig. 2. One end 32 of crank 30 terminates between two parallel arms 34 and 36 of a cam A`follower 38, andthe other end terminates in a counterweighted portionV 40 which serves to place the mechanism in dynamic balance.

The cam follower 38 straddles crank end 32 and is rockably mounted on the ends of a shaft 42 which projects through crank end 32 and is pinned or otherwise secured thereto. As illustrated, cam follower 38 is preferably provided-with anti-friction bearings 43, for mounting onshaft 42. The motion of the mechanism as described thus far is such that rotation of input shaft 24 will cause cam follower 38 to be driven in a circular orbit as indicated by broken line 45 in Fig. 3.

The motions 4of cam follower 38, hich will be described more fully hereinafter, are transmitted to output shaft .28 by means of. a exible -tape or belt 44 which as under tension between arm 34 and collar 52, and provides a' positive drive between cam follower 38 and output shaft 28, thereby providing smooth and instantaneous responses of the output shaftk to the oscillations of the cam follower on shaft 42 without the presence of backlash, a fault generally found in gear train transmission systems.

At one end of arm 34 there is lprovided a roller 58 Vand at an oppositely disposed end of arm 36 there is provided a roller 60, both rollers being preferably of the antifriction type and-mounted for 'and 64 respectively. Thevv stud rotation on stllrdv shafts 62 shafts are supported' in 34 as seen in Fig. 2, and, while not shown, stud shaft 64 `is similarly shouldered against the inner face of arm 36. `Nuts 66 and 68 which secure rollers 58 Vand 60 on the -outer ends of the respective stud shafts also hold the shafts against rotation by being drawn tightly against the inner racesY of rollers 58 and60. A a

In' order to pfoyideoscillatry motion to camkfollower 38',`,`r6ll ers 58 and 60 Vare'eiigaged`"respectively with two `fixedfnrris 70 and 72,`ca'rn 70beingilxedlyattached Vto `an inne'zboss or'zp'ad '7 4"o f body"12',"asV by four screws 76` passing through holes in'bo'dy112` and thradedly'engag ingi"tppe'"d'hles`in -the cam'. `172 is"si`rnilarly attached to'an innerv boss or pad 78*y of end cover plate L1'4 bymerans of screws 8'0passing through holes in the cover plate'` 'and lthrefadedly"engagingt'apped holes in the c am.

The arrangementbf'the cams is such that their respective axes are` coincident with 'the axes of inpiit and `output yshafts 24 and AS illustrated n'AFg A2,V nern'eth'od f the'fc'ams With"thewilplt and output is by iitting'f them on peripheral portions of bearings- 26 and A82 projecting beyond inner'pads 78 and 74 respectively, eachbeing provided'with'an axial bore for this'puipose. i The operation' ofthe device is Such that as input Shaft 24 rotates, v cam lfollower `38 and itsassociated rollers 58 and'. 60 arerevolvingly ,driven ljOuft the flfdrfms crank 30. Thenleactin 4of the ollerst'the lundl'ilftions lofthe fixed causes the Cain 'follower to"'oscil late on shaft 42 relative lto input shaft 24, andby means of flexible tape 44Vthe oscillatory motion'of cam follower 38Pisz transferred to output shaft 28. "`Theo,scil latory inotion'pof the camfollower "causes 'the output shaft to? dwell and 4to rotatealternately as will bedescribed more fully hereinafter. l` The cams are 4c ormjlemental1y arranged so that together they cooperate to'eause' they aforesad'oscillation of` cam follower 38,V a'rnotifon whichv neithen'couldac- Vals complish separately inrthis'particular arrangement.' The t `earns are so formed that as one rises the falls to the -same"ext ent', so that each cam confines thefol lower roller associatedwitli the other'carn" to the' co'- i tour'of that cam,rthereby" members or other' biasing device/s. 'f Y In the illustrated embodi ent, output shaft y28 is eliminating thefneed adapted to be Aintermittently' 'rotated through'a'n angular motion comprising dwell-rotate-dwell periods, the cams W being formed to impart to the output 'shaft 'two' periods '0f .dwell .and .two ,angular rotative movef'fffatS 9171180 each during oneV revolution o f input shaft 24,4one period .f dwellalterliating kvtfithblljr 'Period .Offfvtatqt TheJ motions of output shaft ,2 8 relative to input shaft 24"andcrank 30 maybe illustrated by'efrence to Eig's. Y'

30 'is' ,at an '21112111 en ttiat'in orderlto vrotate output vshaft Y,

.ment Qt hein/anti n, it `r1 4, which in this particular embodiment represents ya dwell period of output shaft 28. In order to accomplish this dwell period of the output shaft during this 36 rotation of crank 30, cam follower 38 is forced to rotate clockwise on shaft 42, its action being governed by cams and 72. The motion of cam follower 38 is such that it will allow a certain amount of tape 44 to be unwrapped from that portioneof collar 52 tothe right of screws 50 and 51 while increasing the wrap on that portion of collar 52 to the left of Vthe screws an equivalent amount, the net effect of"this.action causing collar 52 to remain stationary. As was mentioned earlier, collar 52 is secured to output shaft 28T" The`"dwell of output lposition in Fig. '4 to 09' position `in Fig.' 5throu`ghan angle of 144, :output shaftf28'-lwill have been "rota the""s'aine"dire"ctio`n` as 'the Vcrr1k,"'tli}1't is; count' ookvisje; `and fthrou'gh' an anglebfflso? "as 'wi'lrb'e'rfujrther S'e byNV tlhgthe changed DO'SI Ofi'lla'ti84`bnnlll' 52,"in`FigsL'4and"5.V w y" Itwillbe apparent therefore that, during its rotative movements, the-outputshafr mustY be rotated af a' higher 4elligl 4angular Velocity than' the ilpt Shaft.' :Thlls accomplished by having'the earns' impart to' the camoilow'ei" "al movement, `substantially counter-clockwise; "t such' velocities Yas 'will be necessary to rotate the output s ha'ft at a higher average velocity than"the input shaft and inthe" saine direction. "Theins'tantaneous angular velocity 'to be imparted" to the 'cam follower,l as" indicated""by"angle e (the'finstantaneous slope" of the ntionsurveyinv Fig. '6,' is 'a 'function of the ratid'oftlie diameter 'of vrbliarsz to the diamererof atcrcierdmcident with arcuate portions54`and 56'of"'a1"`m"34"llav- "in'git's center 'a`t`"the' center of shaft 42".r1 In""th'e` illustratedl device shown in" Vthe' drawings, this' ratio vhas `b`e`e1 'chosentb be somewhat' 1es's't1ian 1:2;

"The" motion of the' 'cam' follower has been described in the preceding paragraph as "substantially 'countrclock- 'wisfel' This is 'so because shortly after the 'beginning of ffotativey movemeri't'of the output shaft the canifollower begins to merge from a clockwisem'otioiint'a 'co'te'rc'l'okwise motion' so that there i's a' t`me"`inte'rval T', "Figi v6*," during whichv 'thefcani followe" rocking clockwise" although theutpiit shaft `i`s` rotating counterclockwi's'e. Thisis explained :bythe Vfact that the clockwis motion ofthe 'cani follower as just desc 'bed'is'pfit f y han the input-shaft. l

. A m il rocking" )G9110 ther-crank 'and are fermait ing the cam contours such cause reverse increments of rotation of the output shaft astanti equal facility in various other forms. Such forms, for example, may include intermittent motion converting devices having a larger number of dwells and angular rotative motions of the output shaft per revolution of the input shaft than the illustrated device shown and described herein. It is recognized -that by merely changdevices may also be used to relative to the input shaft, and still further to cause relative periods of rotations of the output shaft in the same direction. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention as herein shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred embodiment of the same and that various changes in size, shape, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is: I

l. A motion converting device comprising support means, power input drive means rotatably mounted in said support means, a rockable element mounted on said drive means, means to rock said element during rotation of said drive means, an output shaft, and exible band means operably connecting said output shaft to said element whereby rocking motion of the latter effects a varying angular velocity of said output shaft, said band means wrapping and unwrapping about said output shaft in response to said rocking motion.

2. A motion converting device comprising support means, a power input drive shaft rotatably mounted in said support means, crank means on said drive shaft and rotatable therewith, an element rockably mounted on said crank means, means to rock said element during rotation of said crank means, an output shaft, and flexible band means operably connecting said output shaft to said element whereby rocking motion of the latter effects a varying angular velocity of said output shaft, said band means wrapping and unwrapping about said output shaft in response to said rocking motion.

3. A motion converting device comprising support means, .a power input drive shaft rotatably mounted in said support means, crank means on said drive shaft and rotatable therewith, an element rockably mounted on said crank means, means to oscillate said element during rotation of said crank means, an output shaft rotatably mounted in said support means, and flexible band means operably connecting said output shaft to said element whereby oscillation of the latter effects a varying angular velocity of said output shaft, said band means wrapping and unwrapping about said output shaft in response to said oscillation.

4. A motion transmitting device comprising support means, a power input drive shaft rotatably mounted in said support means, crank means on said drive shaft and rotatable therewith, an element rockably mounted on said `crank means, means mounted on said support means to oscillate said element during rotation of said crank means, an output shaft rotatably mounted in said support means, and flexible band means operably connecting said output shaft to said element whereby oscillation of the latter effects a varying angular velocity of said output shaft, said band means wrapping and unwrapping about said 'output shaft in response to said oscillation.

5. A motion transmitting device comprising support Vmeans, cam means attached thereto, cam follower means operably engaging saidcam for revolving said cam follower means about said cam means, rotatable drive means means when said drive means is rotating, said cam means causing oscillation of said cam follower means during -movement of the latter about said cam means, a driven 4shaft, and flexible band means operably connecting said drivenshaft to said cam follower means whereby oscilla- Ation of the latter effects a varying angular velocity of I said driven-shaft, said band means wrapping and unwrap- Aping vaboutv said driven shaft in response to said oscillation.- Y

6. A motion transmitting apparatus comprising support means, cam means attached thereto, cam follower means operably engaging said cam means, rotatable drive means for revolving said cam follower means about said cam means when said drive means is rotating, said cam means being contoured to cause said cam follower means to oscillate and to maintain engagement therewith throughout its movement about said cam means, a driven shaft rotatably mounted in said support means, and flexible band means operably connecting said driven shaft to said cam follower means whereby oscillation of the latter veffects a varying angular velocity of said driven shaft, said band means wrapping and unwrapping about said driven shaft in response to said oscillation.

7. A motion converting apparatus comprising support means, cam means attached thereto, cam follower means operably engaging said cam means, rotatable drive means mounted in said support means for revolving said cam follower means about said cam means when said drive means is rotating, said cam means being contoured to cause said cam follower means to oscillate and to maintain engagement therewith during its movement about said cam means, a driven shaft rotatably mounted in said support means, and flexible band means operably connecting said driven shaft to said cam follower means whereby oscillation of the latter effects a varying angular velocity of said driven shaft, said band means wrapping and unwrapping about said driven shaft in response to said oscillation.

8. A motion converting apparatus comprising support means, a plurality of cams attached thereto, a cam follower having elements operably engaging said cams, rotatable drive means mounted in said support means for revolving said cam follower about said cams when said drive means is rotating, said cams being contoured to cause said cam follower to oscillate and to maintain engagement therewith during its movement about said cams, a driven shaft shaft rotatably mounted in said support means, and flexible means operably connecting said driven shaft to said cam follower whereby oscillation of'the latter effects a varying angular velocity of said driven shaft.

9. A motion converting device comprising support means, a plurality of cams attached thereto, a cam follower having elements operably engaging said cams, rotatable drive means mounted in said support means for revolving said cam follower about said cams when said drive means is rotating, said drive means including a radially displaced pivotal mounting for said cam follower, said cams being contoured to cause said cam follower to oscillate and to maintain engagement therewith during its movement about said cams, a driven shaft rotatably mounted in said support means, and flexible means operably connecting said driven shaft to said cam'follower whereby oscillation of the latter effects a varying angular velocity of said driven shaft. 10. A motion converting device comprising support means, a pair of cams attached thereto, a camfollower having elements operably engaging said cams, a-shaft for rockably supporting said cam follower, rotatable drive means mounted in said support means for revolving said shaft and cam follower about said cams when said drive means is rotating, said cams being contoured to cause said cam follower to oscillate on said shaft and to maintain engagement with said cams during its movement thereabout, a driven shaft rotatably mounted in said support means, and flexible means voperably connecting vwfil. motQn converting device according to claim l1 balan'e insaid device. Y

1`3.A motionconverting device according to claimv ll wherein said exible mean'sisa flexible tape'.

14'2nuintermittent Vrnotion converting device for con-v ver'ting constant angular motion to intermittent angular,

m o comprising a housing, a'pair of co-axial cams ated the'lre'tdacarrifollower having"v elements operably engaging'said cams', ra shaft' for'ro'cka'bly lsupporting said earnY follower, drive rneans including a crank for revolvir said shaft andcam follower about said cams when vsaid Y ive means is rotating,I driven shaft, and flexible means nneting said driven shaft ytoV 'said cam` follower, said sVr beln'gleomplernentally for'ni'd `at 4points of engageid followen whereby -oscillation of the wherein said erankA is counterweighted toI effect dynamic .2eme

ent with 'said elements such that as one cam risesthe Y throughout its 4r'noverne'nt"'th'ereabounV4 sorne portions'of said cams being contoured to cooperatewith said drive an'slfor recking said cam follower on said shaftin a direction opposite to `the`fdirectiori of rotation of said v means Jtoa'n extent elfective'to cause nsaid driven t'dwell :relative to said housing, and other portions of said cams being contoured to cooperatewith said drive 'rneans for rocking said cani follower on said shaft in substi lhe Asame direction as said drive means to lan extent elfeetive to vcause said driven shaft Ato makea rot e rnovementin the same direction Aas and at an average Ughlllalf'l/elocity higher than said drive means, thereby e eeting av rotative' rno'vernent of said driven shaft relative' to `said housing.

l5. A motion converting device for converting constant angularmti n to intermit'tent angular motion comprising a"hol`ising,fa"pair of `gaio-axial earnsV attached thereto in fs'paeed relation-to each other, a cam follower, elements oI said eam follower operably engaging said cams, ashaft for r'o'ckably supporting said cam" follower, drive means in- -lu a ucrank Afor revolving said shaft and earn follower said when said drive means is rotating, a ly's'hafnand a ilexible tapevtensionally connecting drivenish'aft to said czinriollmfer, said cams being p lementally formed at points of engagement with said ame V extent thereby to maintain said cam follower f iii engaged "positioniwithsaid cams during itsrnno'vement ereabout, some portions of saidncam's being contoured f peli-'ate v 'vitll'said'drive'meansV for rocking "said cam lilo en on aid sliaft a "direction op'posit'efto ythe i re on of rotation f'said drivemeansfto an extent ef- '.fe "toit:Y said driven shaft-to dwell relativeto said Y portions o f'said earns being contoured .l g, and her to Vco'opleratel with said drive means forroeking said lcam wer onsaid shaft in substantially-the same direction as dri errnearis,toV an extent effective to cause said driven Ds aftt renal/era rotatiye'movernent in the same direction yas land"atan verag'e angular velocity higher than said drive ,Utherebyeieeting a rotative movement of vlsaid driven shaft relative lto said housing.

1'6. An intermittent motion converting device comprising support means, a pair of co-axial cams attached theret `c "i 1 1v spaced parallel relation,l a cam follower, elements .9111 d'cavmffollower operably engaginghsaid a `shaft o rkably Vstrap@ftlia sai'd fiam'fsillwer', drive vfan'sbeiiigieiltblrd to cooperate with said drive means forro g sfa1 carri4 follwe ori said sla'vfti Substantially the 'same direction as'tlie drive Arnealis to 4an "exteiit edective to cause saiddriven shaftwmakearotative movement Ain the saine direction as and at'an` average angular' 'veloeity higher than said drivey means, thereby effecting lrc'tatiile'/in'ov'errient of saiddriven` shaft relative to said support means.u l1." An intermittent motion converting device comprising support means,a' pair Yof co-'axial camsattaeh'edthe'rel to in Vspaced"'parallel relation, Vcam follower" having Yelements yoperably en ig'agingv said cams, a shaftfon rockably supporting" said cam follower, 'acran'k disposed between said cams for revolving said''shaft and cam follower about said eams when's'aidcrarik i's'rotating', a drive shaf't`extending through one o f'svad -`earns for'rotating'said cr a driven shaft rotatably" ritedfin'said's'upport' mea s and extending through` the oth'e'rf said camsfandj a ble tape tensional'ly connecting said driven shaft to' said cam follower-[said cams being'crnplernentally formed at points ofelig'agementwith'said elements such that as one can; rises the athefcm firs 'ta the lsaine extent 'thereby 'te maintain S'aidcahn follower in' engaged positioii'with said 'cams during its movement thereabout, some portions of said camsbeing contoured to cooperate with said crank for rocking Ysaid' carn' follower on said shaft'in a direction'o'Y posite to-the' dire on of rtation'of said to an extent effectivel to"`cau'sfe said driven shaft' to dwell relative .t said'supprt hf Si, and other' prrionsof sid gam being'onfoured to" coperatie withsaidi rank fair rockingl said carn followed on 'said shaft in' substantially the 'samedirection' sfsaid crank to an'extent effective to cause said driveri'shaft to make a rotative -rnovementin thesaine direction' 'asl and atan averageangular'velocity higher thanlsaid frar'ikmtliere.byfeffecting a rotative 'moverne'ntof lsaid driven 'shaft relative to said supprt'rrieansl T1 8. An intermittent vmotion converting'deviee'comprisinga housing, a pair of'co-'axial'cams mountedl to and within said housin'gin spaced parallel relation; a cam fol- Y e owl'pveablyengaging Said cams, a shaft for rockablysupprtingsaid eamfollower, a counterweiglited''crankY disposed between said camisfor reyolvingisaid shaft-and earn follower'aboutI lsaid cams when' sai erank' is rotating, a v,drive shaft *extending througli'one'f "said cani or rotating said crank, driven shaft rotatably 'mounted msaid housing ide-axial relation vwith saiddrive shaft and extending through 4the other ofdsaid camsfand a flexible belt vtensionally eonnecting said driven Yshaft to' said`cam"fellewer, said cams being c'omplemelE- luy formed' at points of engagement 1said"elements"such that as one cam rises the other cam falls to the same extent thereby to maintain said "cam f lllvein fsgd-`p9$ifi9nivifh saidsma-some portions of saidcams being contoured to cooperate with said crank for rocking said cam follower on said shaft in a direction opposite tothe direction of rotation of said crank to an extent effective to vcause said drivenfshaft to dwell relative to said housing, and otherportionsof said cams being contoured to cooperate with said crank 4for rocking said'cam ollower on said shaft -in substantially Tthe' same direction as said'crank to an extent effective to cause said driven shaft to make a rotative movement in the same direction as and at an average angular velocity higher than said crank thereby eiecting a rotative movement of said driven shaft relative to said housing.

19. An intermittent motion converting device according to claim 18 wherein said drive shaft and driven shaft are iu co-axial relation with said cams.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Maier Nov. 12, 1918 Gooding Feb. 10, 1920 Overacker Mar. 18, 1952 Mouravieff Aug. 14, 1956 

